Pickup Weight/Cargo capacity

jdavis1137jdavis1137 Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Chevrolet
Can anyone tell me why the Siverado 1500 has a maximum payload of 1955 lbs and the Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram 1500 only has a max payload of 1595 and 1555 resp., which means the only pickup I can carry a lite 8 ft camper (1600 lbs) on is the Silverado. I realize I could get heavier suspension, or go up to 3/4 ton , but I don't want to spend the extra money

Comments

  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    You should buy a 3/4 ton....

    My '99 silverado claimed like a 2000 payload, but the sticker in the glove box only allows a camper of 1300 lbs or so. Stop by your Chevy dealer, open the glove box and read the camper sticker.....

    Go 3/4 ton....
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    I agree with marbuck. Of that payload, subract gas, people, supplies, etc... No way should you put a 1600# camper in a half ton truck.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    Go 3/4

    - Tim
  • mledtjemledtje Member Posts: 1,123
    My 1500 4x4 has a 2000 lb capacity and is rated for a 1300 lb camper. When I loaded my 1200 lb popup in the bed, the suspension sagged to the bumpstops. Put in air bags and a rear sway bar.

    Then, with myself, my wife and our gear, food, full tank of gas, etc. the rig weighed in at 6440 lbs vs. the 6400 lb GVWR.

    With a 1600 lb camper you will be way overweight. A lot of people have done that and worse and lived with it. But, it bothered my wife to be at or over the GVWR, so we upgraded to a 2500 Silverado. The 2500 barely notices the camper and we are happy with it.

    I wasn't unhappy with the 1500 and camper combo, and we put 25,000 trouble free miles on it. I still have the 1500 (4.8L, 5speed) and enjoy it as a commuter vehicle.

    Mike L
  • sf0383sf0383 Member Posts: 204
    both 1500 and 2500 trucks before ordering and the difference in price isn't that much. You owe it to yourself to look at both and weigh the benefits.

    Just my .02
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    say.."I don't need/want a 3/4".....but have never even driven one...

    For the price difference...what you get is so much better...

    Good Luck

    - Tim
  • markbuckmarkbuck Member Posts: 1,021
    I disagree with you on the 3/4 ton is optimum for commuting or light duty towing <3,000lbs.
    A 1/2 ton is fine, gets better fuel economy, rides better,....

    But the moment you talk slide in camper, I agree that 3/4 ton LD is the minumum.
  • mgdvhmanmgdvhman Member Posts: 4,157
    although I have said that for commuting it's better FOR ME.....and some others...

    depends on what ya want the ride to feel like I guess?

    - Tim
  • erikheikererikheiker Member Posts: 230
    A 1500 is great for light-duty hauling, but there is no way I would ever put a camper in mine. Beefing up a 1500 is also not the way to go. A 2500 is the smallest I would go, and that's only for the smallest. lightest campers. A 2500 HD is fine for medium-sized campers, and a 3500 is the only way to go for those large campers. I realize things change after you buy a truck, but there are other alternatives. I've had a shell on the back of every new truck I've ever owned. A bit more primitive, but I don't do a lot of camping. Another option might be to tow a small trailer. But that might not work if you need the hitch for a boat or ATV trailer. There's lots of options out there, but I wouldn't consider a camper on a 1500 one of them.
  • greg116greg116 Member Posts: 116
    Not long ago, I saw someone near my house load up his Doge Ram 1500 Sport ext. cab V8 (don't know which one, but I hope to hell it was the 5.9) with a huge camper shell that looked like it belonged on a 3/4-ton, AND had a 18-foot fishing boat on the trailer hitch! Ooohhh that poor, poor Dodge...
  • ryans2ryans2 Member Posts: 2
    Realizing the cargo load limits on 4cyl Reg cab Ranger is about 1000 lbs, after passengers, etc., what is the realistic daily weight I can add for equipment like cargo box, tools, bed mat, ladder rack for use on a regular, daily basis in all conditions? Just 150 lbs begins to compress the rear springs!

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    Are you talking about a large topper or an actual enclosed camper that sits on the bed? Those large toppers aren't that heavy and with an 18' boat in tow, I doubt he was near limit.
  • cwhitleycwhitley Member Posts: 6
    HELP!!! I currently own a 1997 Chevy S-10 Ext. Cab. with the 4.3L V6, auto and I use it to tow a "lite-weight" travel trailer (appx. 4500 lbs loaded.) The truck does OK but works very hard for the entire trip, even though it is rated for 5500 lbs.

    I am considering moving to a full size truck, but am cautious about a 1/2 ton (1500 or F150) as that is what my S-10 is rated. Is a 1/2 ton on a full size more capable than on a small truck? I have spoken with a few dealers and they all tell me it would be no problem, but we all know how dealers operate... I am concerned that I may need a 3/4 ton to really handle the load.

    Any advice?

    Chris
  • jcmdiejcmdie Member Posts: 594
    An s-10 is not mneant for that kind of load. A full size 1/2 ton should do well. All of the 1/2 tons will tow around 7,000# and with the wider track and longer wheelbase they can tow you trailer easily. Don't forget about adding your passengers and "stuff" to your payload. You also have to consider the CGVWR but it sounds as though you would be fine.
  • dean52dean52 Member Posts: 12
    The ratings on trucks are a joke. In Pa. the only way you can rate a 1/2 ton truck is if it is under 5000lbs. dry. It dosn't matter what the payload is. I had to rate my Ram 1500 quad cab off-roader as a 3/4 ton because it weights 5500lbs. dry. With a gvw of 6600,add the weight of my leer cap, 2 adults, full tank of gas and things like tow chains and other things under the seat, and you legally can only carry a couple hundred lbs. in the bed. Why would they rate 1/2 ton (1000lbs.) trucks with payloads of 1500-2000lbs. Sounds like a lot of BS advertising to me. I don't know how they can get away with this in most states when you can't legally haul 2000lbs. in your truck.
  • ihsalwaysihsalways Member Posts: 16
    2 wd Dakota w 4.7V8, 3.92 diff., and "HD" suspension package is rated for 2100# payload (1750# in ClubCab 4x4), AND it's a solidly conservative rating. Since you can get nice campers for its, only 3" narrower, wheel wells; AND it get's better mileage; AND its much easier to turn, squeeze in tight places and park; AND most folks drive around unloaded most of the time, WHY ever bother with any "1500" series "full sized" truck?? Logically, for load hauling, its either (properly equipped) Dak., OR real, 2500/3500 full-sized truck!
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